“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!” the clichéd saying goes. However, is it really true?
There is a widespread notion in our society that following your passion is the key to a fulfilled and happy life. Well, it turns out this kind of belief is not only a myth but can be very limiting and even dysfunctional.
Your Idea about What Passion is is Probably Wrong
If someone would ask you what your passion is, what would you say? What are you wholeheartedly passionate about? *tick-tock* *tick-tock*…
The truth is, this question is triggering! The majority of people feel pressured to come up with a good answer, and if they don’t, they feel like something is wrong with them. Considering everything society and media constantly feed us, that’s no surprise. We’ve been told that finding our true passion is a secret to a purposeful and joyful life, and if we don’t discover what it is, well… we’re destined for misery. But that’s completely misleading.
The thing with passion is that it’s not necessarily something you do; passion is something you feel.
Passion is a full force of your attention and energy that you give to whatever is right in front of you.
– Terri Trespicio
Passion is a feeling you find within yourself. Sure, with some things this feeling is easier to experience than with some others, and with some, it never comes. However, it’s good to know that passion for something is fluid; it can develop and fluctuate with time, different circumstances, and different knowledge and attitudes toward that something.
Looking for One and Only Passion = Fixed Mindset and Limited Experiences
One research found that, compared to people who see passion as a developing feeling through activity, individuals who believe people have a relatively fixed passion that just waits to be discovered tend to quit more often when things become difficult or less interesting. That’s because they believe that, when you’re passionate about something, it becomes a boundless source of motivation and, as already mentioned, “you won’t have to work a day in your life anymore”. But that is not true; in any job, even the best one, certain things are not so pleasant or fun. So, when things become difficult, and they will with anything you do at one point, a belief that it must mean “it’s not your true passion” gives you an easy way out.
As the authors of the research say: “Urging people to find their passion may lead them to put all their eggs in one basket but then to drop that basket when it becomes difficult to carry”.
Being obsessed with finding your passion can limit your experiences and prevent you from exploring some areas you might be really good at. Moreover, if you believe that once you find your passion it will all be sunshine and rainbows and that you’ll feel motivated all the time, it will almost certainly lead to disappointment after disappointment.
Instead of searching for your passion, be passionate!
All this, of course, doesn’t mean that if you know exactly what you’re passionate about, and you’re pursuing it, something is not right. No, if you’re happy with what you do, that’s awesome! That inner sense of excitement is something many people are searching for, and you’ve found it – we’re glad for you! J
For those of you with panic inner screaming: “I don’t know what I’m passionate about!”, know that it’s okay. Nothing is wrong with you. It’s great you don’t know that allows you to explore and see how you can develop your passion. If something you do, let’s say a new job, doesn’t click right away – give it time. Try to become better at it and approach it with an inner sense of enthusiasm and interest.
Pursue your whole life with passion. Give special attention to everyday things, from paying your bills to doing your laundry or working out. Practice getting curious and becoming fascinated by the little, ordinary things surrounding you. That, and not one special thing that you’re trying to discover, will make for an enjoyable and freeing life you strive for.
Sources:
http://gregorywalton-stanford.weebly.com/uploads/4/9/4/4/49448111/okeefedweckwalton_2018.pdf